The life of Norman K. Miller is one of a role model. His story inspires us all to be humble, to help others, and to be resilient in the face of adversity. Born Norair K. Dermenjian in 1914 on a haycart escaping the Armenian Genocide, he was one of roughly 20,000 who found shelter in Romania. He spent his childhood living in an orphanage for Armenian refugees. It can be said that the early challenges and absence of safety Norair experienced from birth through adolescence helped shape his ambitious character and determined mindset.

In 1935, Norair immigrated to the United States, changing his name to Norman K. Miller upon his arrival at Ellis Island. Norman moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to live with his uncle who instilled in him that “no matter what you choose to do, if you put in the effort, you can succeed!” From this point forward, Norman took every opportunity he could to educate and establish himself. In 1935, Miller attended the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

While an immigrant, Norman volunteered to enlist in the U.S. Army in 1941, serving in the Battle of Guadalcanal during World War II. Throughout his service, Norman was well-known for his innovative and altruistic nature. He gained recognition for his innovation and resourcefulness when he developed improvements to Army equipment, including interior cushioning for battle tanks and a field modification of the Reising rifle. During his service, Norman was awarded a Bronze Star Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, Army Good Conduct Medal, Overseas Service bar four times, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Ribbon, and was a recipient of the Combat Infantryman Badge. In 1945, Norman was honorably discharged and granted U.S. citizenship for his honorable military service.

After his service, Norman and his two brothers formed a business manufacturing purses and coin holders in the basement of a row home in West Philadelphia, calling their business The Miller Brothers. During this time, Norman received a call from General Burnside from the U.S. Army, who sought a solution to increase safety by preventing worker injury caused by aircraft hangar doors. In 1957, Norman installed the first test edge sensors on hangar doors at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio. One year later, Norman was granted the first US Patent for an electrically activated safety edge. In 1980, spurred by the success of his invention and the opportunity to enhance safety for others, Miller Edge, Inc. was born.

For decades, Norman designed and manufactured sensing edges as Miller Edge, helping property and homeowners safeguard doors and gates. His five children, Norman, Jr., Bearge, Karl, Ginny, and Flossie, have played pivotal roles in the growth of Miller Edge. They not only expanded the product range but also upheld their father’s principles, emphasizing the value of hard work, education, and safety.

Norman’s innovation and desire to help those in need carried throughout all areas of his life. In the early 2000s, Norman worked with AmeriCare to donate items to survivors of the earthquake in Gymri, Armenia. Another significant contribution was his donation to fund water treatment and plumbing to the remote village of Nor Getechen, Armenia, which provided hundreds of villagers’ access to clean drinking water.

Norman was and continues to be valued as a pioneer in the door and gate industries. He is forever admired for his character, generous spirit, and devotion to developing safety solutions to increase protection and security for all. He received the International Door Association Industry Member Service Award in 1998 and was the first-ever recipient of IDA Humanitarian Award in 2007, which recognized his generous service to the industry and community.

To this day, Miller Edge is a proud family-owned and operated American manufacturer that continues to uphold Norman K. Miller’s legacy. His vow to help make the world a safer place for everyone is the foundation that Miller Edge, Inc. is built on.